Saw a thread on this topic on SWF and thought I'd bring the debate over here so we can discuss it for free. Up front with Rooney and Carroll injured, England currently only have Sturridge, Wellbeck and Defoe int the current squad. The former two players have found form hard to come by and Defoe is just one man. The question is, do we bring anyone else (namely Ricky Lambert) into the squad? If not Lambert, does England have anyone elso who could add something to England's limited strikeforce? Holt? Graham? Bent?
No he won't, because of the establishment in football, but he thoroughly deserves to be. I'm convinced that if he was given the service he would score goals at any level. Plus, he wouldn't be naive or overawed at all in his all-round play. He isn't a bulldozer like Holt. He's actually a very clever and skillful striker who has reached the top echelons of his sport later in his career.
Me neither, probably his age. I don't doubt that he has the ability, though from a selfish point of view, I'd prefer if he were fresh for us.
Yeah, but I couldn't deny him the dream of a couple of caps, so that he could legitimately call himself an England International footballer.
Such a shame that he didn't get a manager that could eek out his talent earlier in his career. We came in quite late in his career and gave him the environment and motivation in which to flourish, only now is he proving that he has always had the talent inside of him. As I said, such a shame.
I actually rate Graham. Bit of a lump, bet he's a clever player who knows where the goal is. England could do worse, although they would need a classy playmaker behind him.
It is a great shame, but at least Rickie was eventually noticed. Some people in any walk of life get passed by and they never quite realise their dreams, despite metaphorically banging their heads against a wall of indifference. I feel sad that Rickie's time at the top will inevitably be shorter than most players who get there, but I feel very, very happy that he's at last showing people just how bloody good he really is.
Lambert played a blinder against Utd, Hodgson was in the crowd too. Next day Hogdson comes out and says 'we will not be replacing Andy Carroll for the upcoming qualifiers". the lad's got no chance of ever representing his country, its shocking
The ridiculous thing is that neither Ferdinand nor Vidic, two of the best defenders in the PL, could handle him.
When Hodgson was appointed I naively thought the big club bias might end from a man who had managed unfashionable sides in WBA & Fulham. As for the age reason. I think England have had a recent obsession with trying to find the next young thing and rarely appreciate experience. Italy have a far higher success rate and yet every tournament they have an aging team. It seems with England unless you get promoted from the U21s you're never deemed good enough and late developers get ignored.
I have said it before, what England need is a player that can head the ball, hold the ball up, create chances for others, score goals regularly and most of all score from the penalty spot, can't think of a single forward in the Premier that can do that, can you?
Let me guess..! Err... because Rickie keeps on being compared to him and we know Rickie is nothing as crude a player as Grant Holt, so the media is actually hugely undervaluing Lambert..? Am I close..? Ho-ho, I chortled.
As much as all Saints fans would love to see Ricky get a England cap, in truth we all know it wont happen.
I have to agree with the above.............Lambert's time for England call up is sadly passed. I would like to answer one point previously mentioned in a post. It will not be because "he plays for unfashionable Southampton". Saints have been supplying all the National sides with Players. If you look back throughout Saints History we have been providing British internationals since our formation as a club on a regular basis. During the 60's this increased dramatically. It is only in recent history for a couple of years that we have not provided someone in a full national side somewhere. Plenty in the younger national sides as you would expect but not the full national side. That has already changed with our recent purchases also I do not think it that it will be too long before we get someone into Englands National team again. Certainly I would expect someone to progress to that level with in two years........Cork maybe who was included in the Olympic squad? Who knows but some one will ....mark my words!
